[12a middle] Gemarah: Shemos [Perek2Pasuk1] states, “A man from the house of Levi…”R’ Pinkas: In the beginning of the book of Shemos, there is much anonymity. The Torah does not mention Moshe’s parents by name, and even Shifra and Puah (the midwives) are nicknames. Since this is the beginning of the Jews’ redemption, the emphasis must be on no one person (as the cause of salvation) and only on Hashem. G-d is the ultimate redeemer and all others are merely His tools for working with.

D-E-ep Thoughts: Often times, we tend to slip up and give credit to ourselves for bringing about results. G-d blesses us with specific strengths and talents, but only for us to be His vehicles of blessings. We must always remember to thank others for their work, but recognize that all is truly from Hashem.

EXTRAORDINARY EXTENSIONS

[12b top]R’ Yehuda or R’ Nechemya: Basya reached her arm and it miraculously extended out into the river to get Moshe in the basket.

D-E-ep Thoughts (R’ Rosner quoting Baalei Mussar): Basya had no chance of actually reaching the basket, but she nevertheless made the effort. We have to do everything in our power in this world and leave the rest to G-d. We cannot even lift our pinky fingers if it were not for G-d’s making it happen. Everything we “do” must be with the recognition that Hashem controls and “allows” it to actualize. We must do our part (Hishtadlus) but recognize that whatever G-d wills to be, will be (no matter how seemingly natural or miraculous).